The bronze serpent

"the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses and said, 'We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.' So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, 'Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.' So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live." (Numbers 21:6-9)

"as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." (John 3:14-15)

These passages were favourites of the Lutheran reformers. They often appear in their writings and also their art. Philip Melanchthon's coat of arms (above) was even the bronze serpent on a pole.

It was a favourite of theirs because it was a clear demonstration of what faith is. Faith is simply looking to Christ, specifically Christ crucified, and trusting the promise that if you look to him you will be saved.

However, I've always found the story in Numbers a bit odd. Perhaps it is just me, but why a bronze serpent?

I think the answer struck me yesterday. The serpent on the pole is a rigid and lifeless serpent. Jesus lifted up on the cross is a dead man. In Numbers God is promising the death of that which causes death and so life as a result. In John he is also promising the death of the law which causes us death so we can enjoy life as a result.

Looking at a dead serpent is not very palatable and looking at a dying man isn't either. But if that means the death of death, then it becomes a Good Friday.